Abstract

A simple, effective method of inoculating Eucalyptus marginata (jarrah) stems with the pathogen Phytophthora cinnamomi was developed. There were four criteria to be addressed when developing this technique. A method was required that did not necessitate the wounding of plant tissue, that simulated surface water ponding (often seen in riplines on rehabilitated mine sites), that was applicable to both glasshouse trials and field trials, and that was less labour intensive than previously published methods. In the development of this new method in the glasshouse, agar plugs, colonised by P. cinnamomi, were placed face-down onto unwounded green stem and periderm of 18-month-old jarrah seedlings. The highest percentage of stems infected was obtained when stems were pre-moistened before the inoculum plug was held in place with wet cotton wool and Parafilm. This technique is simple to use under field conditions.